Did you know the average senior, 65 and older, is prescribed 8 to 13 medications? This type of “polypharmacy” is common in older adult patients with the average number of drug-related problems ranging from 2 to 3. Adverse drug events are now the fourth leading cause of death in hospitals.
It’s no surprise then that seniors are looking for other options to manage their physical and emotional issues. Like younger people, they are looking to manage pain, insomnia, neuropathy, and anxiety. Hopefully, with fewer side effects they experience with the combinations of pharmaceutical drugs.
An article published April 01, 2020, in the Harvard Health Blog by Peter Grinspoon, MD states that many boomers are comfortable exploring cannabis medicine to manage their symptoms.
Another study done by the University of San Diego School of Medicine revealed that 61% of older adults 60+ are using cannabis for the first time.
Before the pandemic, I taught classes on cannabis and health in the community education program at Clark College. During that time, I had many requests to give talks in the community on the potential benefits of medical cannabis. Subsequently, I gave talks to residents at 55 and older communities, the residents and staff in assisted living communities, at Parkinson’s support groups, and the local libraries. To my surprise, many people were already using and experiencing relief from these products. They even made recommendations to me for specific brands of topicals, tinctures, edibles, and smokable cannabis and CBD products.
Another marker of the acceptance of cannabis in the older adult community is support for the medical use of cannabis by the AARP in states that have legalized it.
Additionally, promising research shows that by taking small amounts of cannabis a day, the equivalent to one puff of low dose THC and or small doses of full-spectrum CBD tinctures, people are not getting the inflammatory-related dementia diseases at the rate of the general population.
Dementia is the third leading cause of death and impacts 5 million individuals costing $226 Billion (70% Medicare) and untold costs for family caregivers. It is estimated that health care costs for dementia care will top 1 trillion by 2050. Emerging studies have shown that cannabis has significantly decreased many dementia symptoms such as delusions, agitation/aggression, irritability, apathy, sleep disturbances, and caregiver distress.
There is growing evidence that cannabinoids facilitate the growth of neurons (neurogenesis) and interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system regulating the stress and immune systems. It is accepted science that migraine, fibromyalgia, bowel problems, and related conditions display common clinical, biochemical, and physical patterns that suggest an underlying endocannabinoid deficiency that may be suitably treated with cannabis medicines.
Dr. Gary Wenk, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Ohio State University Medical Center, sites research that small daily dose of THC (non-intoxicating levels) along with CBD are neuroprotective and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and protect older adults from “the normal and pathological consequences of aging.”
The recommendation for seniors is to start low and go slow with dosing. To consult with your physician. As with any medication or supplement, educate yourself by weighing the risks and benefits. Most of the adverse effects of cannabis are related to high doses of THC and eating edibles.